AC Milan need Champions League football for many reasons, but perhaps the most important is the money that it would bring.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, Massimiliano Allegri’s constant references to the top European competition are well founded. It’s not just a matter of prestige or personal satisfaction: the Rossoneri’s immediate future hinges primarily on a top-four finish in Serie A.
The reason is easy to understand: two years without the guaranteed revenue from the Champions League would weigh heavily. Not only on the balance sheet (even though Milan’s accounts are in good shape) but also on the transfer plans.
A €60m difference
Participating in the continent’s top tournament would bring in tens and tens of millions (€60-70m, as a rough estimate). This money would also be used to make the squad more competitive, perhaps by partially financing the arrival of a top-tier centre-forward and a starting centre-back.
It could also be useful in raising the salary cap, for example by signing luxury free agents like Leon Goretzka, a highly sought-after midfielder. Would the Bayern Munich man choose Milan if they weren’t playing in the Champions League? The doubt is more than legitimate.
The same question wouldn’t even arise in the case of Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker would certainly want to take part in the most important showcase if he were to stay in Europe, so Milan out of the Champions League wouldn’t have the same appeal for the Pole.
Not getting a top four spot could have negative consequences for the permanence of those already wearing red and black. Take Christian Pulisic, 27 years old and with a contract expiring in 2027 (2028 if the option were activated): would the American renew while in his prime without UCL?
The same can be said for the team’s other stars, from Rafael Leao to Luka Modric. Would the Croatian- who turns 41 in September – be happy to end his career without participating in the tournament he has won six times?
Milan being out of the Champions League would make star players more vulnerable to attack from the other big clubs. The reason is easy to explain here too: to buy, the Rossoneri would have to sell. It’s a bit like what happened last summer, when the Rossoneri invested but also sold significantly.
The key difference? In 2025, Milan knew they were not in Europe. Finishing fifth this season means they would be playing in the Europa League. This would force the management to expand the squad, which is currently too thin to cope with the double commitments of the week.
So, should any big names like Leao or Pulisic fail to leave, an eye must be kept on youngsters like Davide Bartesaghi, whose sale would guarantee a substantial capital gain.
Milan clearly need CL to strengthen and improve. As do other clubs, like Juve which will need to sell players if they don’t make it. Could be a great opportunity to snatch Thuram from them in that case.
I would love to bring on the likes of Thuram, Ederson, Kone even from Roma before Goretzka.
in fact I question if Goretzka is even a good deal, even on a costly “free” transfer for a player his age. Since Schalke his numbers and appearances have been dropping even in a league that isn’t particularly fast or physical like the EPL. His goal contributions and appearances have been steadily dropping. If Milan make to CL we will have more games to contend with than just once a week so if Goretzka stays fit his minutes will have to be managed and he won’t be playing every minute. And that’s a player with a 40mil investment (fee+wages)…
I don’t know …
Yes to both.